Bangkok (VNA) - The state-run Electricity Generating Authority ofThailand (Egat) has signed a contract with B.Grimm Power-Energy ChinaConsortium a contract to develop the world’s largest hydro floating solar hybridpower project in Sinrindhorn dam in Ubon Ratchathani, local media reported.

The project, which will be developed by the consortium under an engineering,procurement and construction contract, has a power capacity of 45MW for thefloating solar farm worth 842 million baht (about 27.74 USD). Solar powergeneration on the water surface requires 450 rai, equal to solar panels on aground site.

Sirindhorn dam is the pilot project for the hybrid system, with 36MW hydropowergeneration to enlarge capacity optimisation, Thepparat Theppitak, Egat's DeputyGovernor for power plant development and renewable energy, was quoted by theBangkok Post newspaper as saying.

Egat expects to commence operation of this project by December.

Egat is committed to the floating solar farms at nine dams nationwide with acombined capacity of 2,725MW, he said.

Thailand, one of leading countries in renewable energy development in SoutheastAsia, has stepped up solar power production nationwide through strategies andprogrammes like household rooftop projects and programmes to buy electricity from individual producers.

The Ministry of Energy expects renewable energy will contribute 29,358MW to thetotal power production, accounting for 33 percent of the country’s electricity generationby 2037./.